Print Topic - Archive

Well, Brig and I made a pact a while back to get into smoothie mode and then we both seemed to drop the ball, but I am so concerned about my weight right now (not that I know what it is, as I threw the scale out a while back, but I know I'm heavier than ever at this time, whatever the exact number is) and so fed up with myself for hittin' the Kettle Chips so often, that I'm really refocusing.

The best I ever, ever did was when I was highly compliant (which I'm not right now), grain free (which I'm not right now) and consuming all these 100% fruit smoothies all the time (aaaaaand which I'm not right now). Weight melted off, I felt vital and energetic, and all was right with the world.

Little Harmony, my Siamese mix (or possibly purebred Siamese but with markings that landed her in the shelter instead of in the showring...yay, because she is where she should be now!) promptly knocked my blender off the counter shortly after I adopted her, which I have yet to figure out how she did. She was a tiny kitten and the base of the blender was relatively HEAVY. She was a determined little tyke. Anyway, I never replaced it. I looked in Wal-Mart (or, as gcg calls it, Wally World *lol*) a few times but was singularly unimpressed by the combo of how cr*ppy the blender selection was and how expensive they were. So, today on my lunch break (can't go tonight, as I am going to the chiro, and after the chiro and then taking care of the pets, I usually try to take it easy) I am going to hit Target (which I LOATHE, but there is one near where I work...I don't know WHY I am going, as they never have anything I need...if they don't have a decent blender, I'm washing my hands of them altogether!) and hopefully get a blender.

Let the summer of the smoothie commence! Here's to chi, vitality, energy, and weight loss, in that order--wu HUU!

As for those chips...*sigh* I don't know if I can give them up entirely. But I just want to try to focus on protein, veggies and fruit. When I do that, I do well.

I know what to do. I just have to do it. Therein lies the rub. I hope I will do it for myself. If we don't take care of our health, who will?

Posted by: Drea, Thursday, May 31, 2007, 2:40pm; Reply: 1

PT, when you make smoothies, are they fruit-only? Or do you put other things like flax seeds or nut butters in them? I'm not a fan of the smoothie, but have one once a day (after it's been in the freezer for a while), usually around lunchtime.

Posted by: Janet, Thursday, May 31, 2007, 2:49pm; Reply: 2

I have to admit that I've only had a smoothie twice. This was while I was in SA a couple of years ago...and was given it with my breakfast. Actually, I was not a fan of yogurt then and just the thought of that stuff in the thing made me want to gag but...I have to admit it tasted OK.

That apart...I'd be interested in some recipes etc...there maybe some in the Type base...don't know I've never looked but I do have a blender...so there's a start!!

Posted by: Peppermint Twist, Thursday, May 31, 2007, 2:51pm; Reply: 3

Quoted from outdoordrea

PT, when you make smoothies, are they fruit-only? Or do you put other things like flax seeds or nut butters in them? I'm not a fan of the smoothie, but have one once a day (after it's been in the freezer for a while), usually around lunchtime.

I used to often put nutbutter (almond) in there, but frankly that renders the blender very hard to clean. There are pluses and minuses to adding the nutbutter. On the one hand, it adds some lovely protein and other beneficial qualities of nuts. Also, if you yearn for faux ice cream, you can get your smoothie more to the consistency of ice cream by adding the thickening factor of nutbutter. On the other hand, like I said, it renders the blender hard to clean, plus it adds a lot of calories (and carbs). It is also a "heavier" smoothie and right now the lightness of an all-fruit smoothie appeals to me very much.

So, I am planning to make all-fruit smoothies. My favorite one is pineapple juice, frozen raspberries and a banana. Sometimes I will add a little all-fruit concentrate like Tree of Life brand concord grape or black cherry. But just the pineapple juice, raspberries and bananas are perfect on their own.

I know this is an avoid, but I'm debating if I should sometimes add some non-fat plain yogurt to the mix and then I could tote the thaaaang into work for a much, much healthier breakfast than if I buy one here, which I find myself in the last week relapsing into doing. The yogurt would be protein, you see. Gotta have my protein in the morning. Haven't set foot in the employee cafeteria in eons but just this week I've been on an unfortunate "kick". This morning, I ate breakfast at home and it was a roast beef sandwich on millet and flax bread. Delish! But by the time I finish giving Ember her pill and getting the pets otherwise situated for the day, making and consuming breakfast at home is a VERY rushed affair, considering I have to be at work so early. I was thinking that if they make something similar to Gladware that one could transport a smoothie in, that would ROCK...do they? If not, I could just use regular Gladware and freak everyone out because it would look so unconventional and I am surrounded by conventional types here. *tee hee*.

Other than my evil/non-compliant thought about adding non-fat yogurt sometimes, I will stick to all-fruit smoothies.

edited to add: Janet, just saw your post after I posted this. If you put a banana or two in your smoothies, it makes them just as creamy as using yogurt would, and it is dairy-free.

Posted by: Henriette Bsec, Thursday, May 31, 2007, 2:52pm; Reply: 4

Even though I´m a B and can do dairy - I like my smothies best just with fruit - almost like sherbet/sorbet - how do you spell it?However today I had a frozen wild blueberry, maplesirup- milk one - quite good- I needed the fat from the milk ;-) I don´t like the ones with protein / weird stuff in.. for me a smothies is a snack instead of an icecream..:-)..

Posted by: Drea, Thursday, May 31, 2007, 3:05pm; Reply: 5

A typical smoothie for me is some form of frozen fruit, water, ground flax seeds, and rice or soy protein powder. For me, I'm wanting the extra protein boost, as that's what sustains me until my next meal. I was making them with soy or almond milk, but they were coming out too heavy. Also, sometimes I'll add a dollop of walnut butter. Banana's are avoids for A's. *sigh*.

Posted by: Henriette Bsec, Thursday, May 31, 2007, 3:07pm; Reply: 6

So you do them instead of a meal?...Well for me it will be a snack- a dessert... so that is why I don´t want the weird stuff in ;-D

Posted by: Janet, Thursday, May 31, 2007, 3:08pm; Reply: 7

PT...that banana is an AVOID for me, unless I'm an a nonnie, which I am sometimes to enjoy some lamb ;D But actually, the banana gives me indigestion, and I don't suffer from that so know that would be the cause.

I think the all fruit smoothie (as Henriette said) would suit me best...berries are bennie for me...I think, need to look that up ??)

My problem with yogurt is that I buy one that is full milk + soya. All the low fat ones here in Spain, contain sweetners eg aspartame :o so not for me!!!

Posted by: Drea, Thursday, May 31, 2007, 3:12pm; Reply: 8

Quoted from Henriette_Bsec

So you do them instead of a meal?...

I do them instead of a meal...while I'm on the detox plan, which it seems I've been on forever because I can't get through to 7 full days without some avoid food sneaking in while my guard is sleeping on the job!

Posted by: Drea, Thursday, May 31, 2007, 3:15pm; Reply: 9

Janet, bananas don't sit well with me, either. I'd love to find some form of fruit that does the same creamy functionality of a banana, though. Berries are not avoids, although some berries are bennies (blueberries, elderberries, .blackberries, cranberries), while others are neutral (strawberries, raspberries, boysenberries). Cherries are supposed to make smoothies creamier, but I have not noticed that to be true...not like a banana, anyway.

Posted by: Henriette Bsec, Thursday, May 31, 2007, 3:33pm; Reply: 10

Quoted from outdoordrea

I do them instead of a meal...while I'm on the detox plan, which it seems I've been on forever because I can't get through to 7 full days without some avoid food sneaking in while my guard is sleeping on the job!

:( Maybe peaches would make them more smooth ?

Posted by: Janet, Thursday, May 31, 2007, 3:45pm; Reply: 11

Quoted from outdoordrea

Janet, bananas don't sit well with me, either. I'd love to find some form of fruit that does the same creamy functionality of a banana, though. Berries are not avoids, although some berries are bennies (blueberries, elderberries, .blackberries, cranberries), while others are neutral (strawberries, raspberries, boysenberries). Cherries are supposed to make smoothies creamier, but I have not noticed that to be true...not like a banana, anyway.

What about the yogurt? I'm permitted 1-3 per week...I don't use milk in anything.

Posted by: lstreat, Thursday, May 31, 2007, 4:08pm; Reply: 12

Funny you should discuss smoothies. All week that is what I have been having for breakfast. Last weekend I bought some great ripe mangos, berries, pineapple and watermelon. I blended them one by one put them in separate containers, froze some and kept more in the fridge. So in the morning I blend together silken tofu, nutritional yeast, cod liver oil (lemon flavour) and the fruit, whatever fruit I desire that morning or I mix a few together. When I get to the office I'm ready to drink my smoothie and boy it is velvety smooth and delicious. The silken tofu really thickens up the smoothie, I do have to add water to thin it out a bit or I'd have to eat it with a spoon. ;)

Posted by: mhameline, Thursday, May 31, 2007, 4:12pm; Reply: 13

I need to get back into the smoothy making mode again - I was doing pretty good for a while and then I started getting lazy about it again. But I too do the best in staying on track with my eating when I'm doing a morning smoothy. It also helps my energy a ton. Thankfully cherries are back in season and that always helps me get on track too when I can have my cherries - yum. My body thanks me for cherries and smoothies.

Posted by: lstreat, Thursday, May 31, 2007, 4:15pm; Reply: 14

I forgot to mention that one of these smoothies will fill me up till lunch ;)

Posted by: Drea, Thursday, May 31, 2007, 4:18pm; Reply: 15

All this talk of smoothies and I started to crave one. This time I made it with a few cherries, some blackberries, brown rice protein powder, ground flax seeds, and pineapple juice. Oh! The pineapple juice made it over the top (as in very delicious)! No nut butter this time, either...or the dreaded flax/borage oil (gag). Perhaps I was mistaken about the cherries, because this time it is smooth and creamy.

Janet, yogurt is fine in smoothies (adds creamy and tang)...I'm not eating dairy at this time, so none for me, though.

Posted by: jayneeo, Thursday, May 31, 2007, 4:31pm; Reply: 16

a pitch for egg white powder. It's wonderful, fat free protein. It gives the smoothie a light frothy, lovely testure, and I buy th big jar of "simply whites" (powder, with no avoids). P. T. take note lest you eat yogurt which will not be so good.

Posted by: Drea, Thursday, May 31, 2007, 4:38pm; Reply: 17

Quoted from jayneeo

a pitch for egg white powder. It's wonderful, fat free protein. It gives the smoothie a light frothy, lovely testure, and I buy th big jar of "simply whites" (powder, with no avoids). P. T. take note lest you eat yogurt which will not be so good.

Jayneeo, where do you buy this "simply whites"?

Posted by: jayneeo, Thursday, May 31, 2007, 4:44pm; Reply: 18

Whole Foods. It is made by Bioplex, and I believe it can be found elsewhere, as well.

Posted by: Drea, Thursday, May 31, 2007, 4:47pm; Reply: 19

Great! I'll look for it. I just re-read the ingredient list on my TJ's soy protein powder and there are a lot of nasties in there. Once I finish the jar, I'm done with it. When I first bought it, I wasn't following the arthritis health book...

How thoughtless of me to suggest banana to an A secretor. Mea culpa and I'm sorry. :B

That is a bummer when it comes to if someone wants a dairy-free smoothie, because I'm telling youzzz guyzzz, bananas made the perfect creaminess agent in a smoothie and they give it that tropical flare, too.

You could definitely use non-fat yogurt. It is excellent in smoothies for those who are allowed it. I would think it would be nice for an A occasionally, too, because I say A's should go for all the protein they are allowed...but then I say that through O-colored glasses, because on the other hand a nice, "clean" pure fruit smoothie might be just the ticket for keeping an A's arteries all spiffy and plaque-free.

Well, kids, I have completed Phase I of my Summer of Smoothies Action Plan: I have purchased a blender! Did so on ye olde lunch break!

Target had these very cheaply-made-seeming ones on sale for $17.99. They were Osters, though, which is a well-known brand and that is what my previous one was, which I liked. When I pressed the buttons on the model, oh my, did the whole works seems so cheaply made. But *shrug*, $17.99, ya know? SOLD, to the not-so-little lady in the Tampa Bay Rays tee-shirt!

Phase II will occur manana, when I make the purchase of my frozen and fresh fruits and my fruit juices. I can't WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've been meaning to do this for so long! WHY am I such a procrastinator? Drives me nuts about myself, truly.

I have never tried watermelon in a smoothie and I'll bet it is FANTASTIC! Thanks for the idea. Publix (supermarket) has some terrific watermelon in already. Ummmmmmmm, I enjoyed some chunks the other night. I love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, really love watermelon. It is so deeply hydrating, delicious and just...watermelony! Oh YEAH, babe.

Getting extremely psyched for the Summer of the Smoothie to commence! As soon as Phase II of the Action Plan is completed manana, the SOS (oh dear, what an acryonym) will commence!

Maybe by the NEXT IfHI Conference, moi will be svelte...or at least presentable. Right now I'm sort of in Albie-in-The-Birdcage condition: "Don't look at me, I'm hideous!"

Posted by: Brighid45, Thursday, May 31, 2007, 4:51pm; Reply: 21

I've been ready to do smoothies for a while now but I need to get a blender, and getting to Kmart to buy one has been almost impossible for the last month. I have be there tomorrow though, I'm in desperate need of some new work tee shirts and I'll just grab me a blender on my way through the store. Then it'll be smoothies for dinner all summer long! :)

Drea, you should be able to buy Simply Whites at any natural foods or health food store. If you don't have any near you, try a google search--you should be able to buy them online either directly from the company, or from an online store like shopnatural.com. They are a good source of protein and a nice change from protein powders or nut butters, both of which can be gritty.

Posted by: Drea, Thursday, May 31, 2007, 4:51pm; Reply: 22

Quoted from jayneeo

Whole Foods. It is made by Bioplex, and I believe it can be found elsewhere, as well.

I saw your link on another thread; why do they have to go and put sucralose in there???? I like my protein powders sweetener-free. >:(

I've been ready to do smoothies for a while now but I need to get a blender, and getting to Kmart to buy one has been almost impossible for the last month. I have be there tomorrow though, I'm in desperate need of some new work tee shirts and I'll just grab me a blender on my way through the store. Then it'll be smoothies for dinner all summer long! :)

Since we posted at the same time, you may not have seen my post just above yours, but if you don't like the selection at K-Mart, you might try Target. Not sure if the sale price was nationwide, but I just picked up an Oster for $17.99.

Quoted from Brighid45

Drea, you should be able to buy Simply Whites at any natural foods or health food store. If you don't have any near you, try a google search--you should be able to buy them online either directly from the company, or from an online store like shopnatural.com. They are a good source of protein and a nice change from protein powders or nut butters, both of which can be gritty.

GREAT idea!!! Or, if you don't mind living on the edge (salmonella-wise), you could get organic eggs and use the whites thereof. This provides excellent protein and, not exactly creaminess, but thickening/smoothifying. However, even with organic eggs, there is a risk of salmonella from raw eggs, so best to stick to Briglet's fabulous idea.

Posted by: Drea, Thursday, May 31, 2007, 4:55pm; Reply: 25

Sucralose is (and I may be mistaken) the same thing that's used in Splenda! Oh the horrors!

Wait a minute --- I just saw on the Bioplex page that they make a *Natural flavor. I wonder if this is sucralose-free? I'll check next time I'm at the HFS.

Posted by: ion, Thursday, May 31, 2007, 5:28pm; Reply: 26

Hallo dear ladiesDon't forget lecithin in it and a spoonfull of flux seed oil with your beneficial juice turns out cell membrance moisturizer.I was off smoothies for a few months but is a week now I am back. My favorite is pineapple one. I like the idea of egg white powder. I'll look for it.

Peppermint I am following you, (you know, news paper hut and coat) as we are the same age if you do well I do well too. Let's be compliant. You have the chips battle going on and I have the chocolate one. what do you say? who is going to win. Them or Us? :K)

Posted by: jayneeo, Thursday, May 31, 2007, 6:01pm; Reply: 27

whatdya mean natural flavor? mine are just egg whites!! Nada mas.

Posted by: Victoria, Thursday, May 31, 2007, 6:28pm; Reply: 28

Has anyone tried Mt. Capra Goat whey? I'm going to have to order some online because I can't find it locally. I love my smoothies but I need some more protein, and I eat enough eggs already.Lakewood pineapple juicegoat yogurtblueberries and cherriesARA6 (larch powder)ProBerry Liquid

I'm having my smoothie for a mid-day snack since too much cold food in the a.m. is bogging my digestiion down. Now, it's warm food for breakfast. What a change for me.

Posted by: jayneeo, Thursday, May 31, 2007, 6:30pm; Reply: 29

that's how I do it , Victoria. mid afternoon it makes a great snack and keeps me from the rye krisps....

Hallo dear ladiesDon't forget lecithin in it and a spoonfull of flux seed oil with your beneficial juice turns out cell membrance moisturizer.I was off smoothies for a few months but is a week now I am back. My favorite is pineapple one. I like the idea of egg white powder. I'll look for it.

Peppermint I am following you, (you know, news paper hut and coat) as we are the same age if you do well I do well too. Let's be compliant. You have the chips battle going on and I have the chocolate one. what do you say? who is going to win. Them or Us? :K)

I was just saying to some co-workers this fine a.m. that I wish I had the chocolate addiction instead of the chip one. Because chocolate is a dang sight better for you than chips. If I eat a bag of those Kettle Chips, not only is the potato a classic avoid, complete with lectin and nightshade capacity for inflamation, but it has soooooooooooooooooooooooo many calories and carbs, not to mention fat and whatever that carcinogenic acid is that forms when certain starches are deep-fried...what is it again? Anyway, even my "healthier" brand of chips are baaaahd. Okay, so they are "pure" and don't have transfats, artificial flavs and colors, hydrogenated whatever, autolyzed yeast, MSG, etc. But STILL, omg. And I wonder why I am fat and don't lose weight.

Victoria--I'm moving smoothies to dinnertime for the same reason. Cold or even cool drinks in the morning make me sluggish and give me indigestion. A nice healthy hot breakfast with plenty of greens and protein, and I'm good to go. Smoothies in the evening . . . yumm!

Twin: try taking Rhodiola with a good B complex vitamin in the mornings. It's starting to make a BIG difference for me in terms of craving starches, including and especially wheat. Summer heat stresses me out big time, but this routine is beginning to make a dent in the stress and consequently, cravings. It could help with yours as well.

And yeah, chocolate is a slightly better craving to have than chips. I've had both. I like chocolate better. :)

All this talk of smoothies and I started to crave one. This time I made it with a few cherries, some blackberries, brown rice protein powder, ground flax seeds, and pineapple juice. Oh! The pineapple juice made it over the top (as in very delicious)! No nut butter this time, either...or the dreaded flax/borage oil (gag). Perhaps I was mistaken about the cherries, because this time it is smooth and creamy.

I had an interesting reaction to this smoothie. As soon as I finished it, I got incredibly sleepy, and went to lie down for a quick nap. 45 mins later, I was awake but groggy, so I made my turkey/spinach "faux" chile for lunch. Then around 3pm I was craving sweets, so I broke down and made some almond/soy milk with unsweetened cocoa powder and veg gly and promptly fell asleep on the couch for another two hours!

Posted by: jayneeo, Thursday, May 31, 2007, 11:38pm; Reply: 34

Oh,interesting....mine has only egg whites as ingredients......must be the natural....

Posted by: Janet, Friday, June 1, 2007, 5:25pm; Reply: 35

Quoted from Edna

I was just saying to some co-workers this fine a.m. that I wish I had the chocolate addiction instead of the chip one.

Noooo....PT, never wish that one on yourself...IMO they must both be as bad as each other. In fact, if you look at it in the cold light of day...you know that any addiction is bad news ;)I speak as one who constantly fights with chocolate...but am winning at this moment :K)

Posted by: Peppermint Twist, Friday, June 1, 2007, 5:39pm; Reply: 36

I dunno, from where I sit, it seems that chocolate is healthier than chips. But you're right, any addiction is bad news.

Posted by: Drea, Friday, June 1, 2007, 6:09pm; Reply: 37

Back to smoothies, yesterday's experience aside, I'm with Brig and Victoria...no more smoothies for me until dinner...or maybe lunch, if I don't have a lot of sitting planned...sitting = sleepy.

Posted by: Peppermint Twist, Friday, June 1, 2007, 7:56pm; Reply: 38

Well, guys, I'm SO glad I decided to go back to the chiro today and furthermore to pick the 10:00 a.m. slot they offered me instead of the 4:00 p.m. slot. Not only did he fix what he broke (see separate thread on that whole thing, if you feel like it), but now I have the time and fit-as-a-fiddleness this afternoon after work to go SMOOTHIE SHOPPING! I'm off to buy all manner of organic bananas, frozen fruit, pineapple juice, etc.! Yay!!!!! Let the Summer of the Smoothie officially commence!

:D Have a great, smooooooth weekend, y'all!

Posted by: Peppermint Twist, Monday, June 4, 2007, 5:47pm; Reply: 39

Well, The Summer of the Smoothie commenced this weekend but was not without unfortunate incident. I ended up getting a "Charlie Horse" that night for the first time in ages and there is definitely something I notice, which makes NO SENSE, but nevertheless seems to be a reproducible result, so I have to take note of it: It seems that when I consume a lot of potassium, or something found in fruit/fruit juice, I get a wicked Charlie Horse in the middle of the night (just in recent years, mind you).

The last time I recall getting one is when I drank an entire jar of 100% pure cranberry juice (I thought I might have a bladder infection, but I didn't...anyway, I figured the cranberry juice couldn't hurt either way, but I think I overdid it *lol*). Result was, that night: wicked Charlie Horse.

Well, now I had this smoothie on Saturday afternoon, and it was pineapple juice, a large banana and raspberries. That was going to be my dinner (I consumed it at around 4:00 p.m.), but I ended up hungry later (see, I should have eaten lunch, but instead I had breakfast at 6:45 a.m. and then that smoothie at 4:00 p.m., so no wonder I was hungry later), so I had a roast beef sandwich on millet and flax bread.

Middle of the night: :o :o :o Charlie horse!!!!!!!!!!! They are so painful and scary as they are happening. I mean, one minute you are asleep or just barely awake and the next your calf muscle is in spasm! WHY? It feels like the muscle is going to rip apart in two! I have learned to just tell myself "relax, relax, relax" as it is happening (yeah, good luck with that), because if you go with your gut and try to grab your leg or move in any way, it is going to be WORSE! Then when the spasm ends, you can kinda massage it a little and/or try to get up and walk. Usually, it is sore but okay afterward. That in itself is a wonder to me because as I said, when it is underway, it really feels that the muscle is tearing into two distinct and seperate pieces.

I know it is some sort of electrolyte imbalance, as I've posted about the other times this has happened, but I'm really now tying it to fruit juice and/or massive potassium ingestion...which I don't get. I thought potassium was supposed to be soothing to muscles. But me guesses it is all about the electrolyte balance. Maybe the potassium would be okay if something else were there to counteract it?

I don't know but, man, those things hurt like heck and are scary when they're happening, even though you know that usually you are okay afterward. A few times, the muscle has actually been a hurting pup for a day or two afterward, but usually it is just a little sore, if anything, but fine.

It is so wild.

Does anyone know what I need to have in order to enable me to consume fruit juices and/or bananas at will, without Charlie horse worries? The first time I ever experienced this was in roughly 1999, when I decided (and this lasted all of 11 days *lol*) to combine Atkins with the BTD. After a few days on Atkins induction: Charlie horse!!!!!!!!!!! That was the first one. And I consider the Atkins induction phase with the 20 gms of carbs to be fairly unbalanced if not executed perfectly. I remember, the whole time, I thought: if I could just have one big bowl of SALAD, I'd be okay. But at the time, Atkins induction was far stricter than I understand it is now. So I'm sure I wasn't getting something I needed. Again, it is all about balance.

Has anyone else had Charlie horses from potassium or something else in fruit/fruit juice?

Wild.

Edited to add: not sure if this factors in, but I took two NAC (N-acetyl cysteine) tablets that afternoon, too, because I was exposed to perfumed hair spray, big time, as I got my hair cut and the chick next to me was getting sprayed to beat the band with toxic, caustic atomized hideousness. Plus, we've had all that smoke in the air for weeks and weeks and Tropical Storm Barry finally cleared it all out, so I figured two NAC's were in order.

Posted by: mhameline, Monday, June 4, 2007, 5:53pm; Reply: 40

I had a Charlie horse back about a month ago that shot me right out of bed in the middle of the night - I have no idea what caused it other than I've been eating way more avoids than I should be and it's been no good. I don't know why I can't stay on track - I even made my smoothy today and brought it to work with me so I started out good and then made a bad bad choice at lunch time. Ugh...when will I ever learn. It's so hot here it's unbeliveable too - and our AC at work is worthless - I am not happy when I'm too hot!

Posted by: Peppermint Twist, Monday, June 4, 2007, 6:12pm; Reply: 41

Quoted from mhameline

I had a Charlie horse back about a month ago that shot me right out of bed in the middle of the night - I have no idea what caused it other than I've been eating way more avoids than I should be...

Well, mine seems triggered by healthy stuff: fruit and fruit juice! I get 'em just as you do: the shoot-you-out-of-bed-in-the-middle-of-the-night variety. They are WILD and woolly.

I'm going to Google "Potassium and charlie horse" and "fruit juice and charlie horse" when I get some time. I'm going to find out the 411.

Meanwhile, I may have to brave the gas prices and tool on down to Sarasota's Whole Foods to get some of their tonic water that does not contain corn syrup. They are the only place on planet earth with corn-free tonic water. The quinine might help the Charlie horse sitch (although their 365 brand really doesn't contain much quinine at all, per my taste buds). Other than that idea, I got bupkus.

Posted by: Jane, Monday, June 4, 2007, 6:21pm; Reply: 42

I hadn't had a Charlie Horse in years and a few weeks ago I had two. I was lying on the couch watching a Sox game and dozed off and woke up with one that was a real whopper and then I had another one the next day. I can't remember if I ate avoids or what was going on. I've never been a smoothie person but the other day I was home and it was raining. I had a late breakfast of eggs and manna bread and then mid afternoon I wanted something to eat so I made a smoothie out of bananas, WFs fresh pineapple chunks, a little almond butter and a little pomegranite blueberry juice. It was delicious! Jane

Posted by: Peppermint Twist, Monday, June 4, 2007, 6:42pm; Reply: 43

Well, the following is an example of what frustrates me in terms of the information I keep coming across:

They all seem to say that a lack of potassium is a culprit, yet I get them specifically when I've had lots of potassium.

That said, some articles mention calcium and Lord knows I could very well be low on that at any given time. So maybe if one has too much potassium and not enough calcium, THEN a horse of a Charlie nature ensues?

And yet the advice to her abruptly stops after she keeps insisting she only gets them after eating fruits such as bananas and pineapple, exactly as happens to me!

"George is getting frustrated!" - George Costanza -

Posted by: gulfcoastguy, Monday, June 4, 2007, 7:50pm; Reply: 45

Have you thought about taking Magnesium Calcium supplements. I know my legaches if I don't take my magnesium citrate but that might just be a B thing.

Posted by: Victoria, Monday, June 4, 2007, 8:06pm; Reply: 46

I was just going to suggest the same thing: Magnesium supplements. That's usually the mineral that is deficient in the case of muscle cramps, from what I have read.

BTW, consider the volume of smoothie that you consumed. And the other thing, as you mentioned, make sure your other meals provide plenty of solid nutrition, with lots of protein.

Posted by: Drea, Monday, June 4, 2007, 8:49pm; Reply: 47

Quoted from jayneeo

Whole Foods. It is made by Bioplex, and I believe it can be found elsewhere, as well.

Now Brand makes egg white protein powder with nothing added. I didn't buy it because I'm still not eating eggs and I still have some protein powder at home...

Posted by: Poly, Monday, June 4, 2007, 9:25pm; Reply: 48

Charlie Horse...!?! ;D ;D I've never heard that expression! Good name for it, though! :D

I too would look into calcium/Magnesium-supps for that.

I remember, I used to have a - heh - Charlie Horse every Wednesday night during my second year of high school. Very strange. No idea what caused it!

On the smoothies - I will dive into them, too, very soon. I do need a little more summer here to get into fruit-mode, though. Besides, I'm going very low-carb right now, so fruits are kinda out at the moment. Need to lose that weight!BUT I did buy a new blender just today, so yay! :D

Quoted from Edna

Right now I'm sort of in Albie-in-The-Birdcage condition: "Don't look at me, I'm hideous!"

Aw pooh - I'm sure you're gorgeous, Peppy. Besides, Albie is adorable when he says that! Well OK hysterical, but still adorable!Hey - we can be hideous and hysterical together! :D

The Smootie-thread has some great recipes - some really inventive, and some really excentric ones, IMO! :P Enjoy! :D

Posted by: Drea, Monday, June 4, 2007, 10:57pm; Reply: 49

Being an A, I need protein wherever I can find it...and if that means putting it in smoothie, so be it. :D

I cannot take the flax oil taste. Too strong! But I get enough other oil in my diet, so I'm not worried.This mornings smoothie that I froze and had for lunch was: frozen cherries, frozen raspberries, and a few frozen strawberries, along with some very diluted cran/apple juice, rice protein powder, flax seeds, and water. Yum and not too sweet. I like to eat a smoothie after it's been in the freezer for a couple of hours...*shrug*

Posted by: Peppermint Twist, Tuesday, June 5, 2007, 1:37pm; Reply: 50

Well, I haven't yet had another smoothie since the one Saturday afternoon. I did have a banana yesterday, though, and no Charlie horse. I think you guys are right that I need a calcium supplement. Taking "too much" potassium probably isn't the problem, it is that the amount of potassium needs to be opposed/countered by enough calcium and magnesium. Like so many things, it is all about balance. Intuition and what I do know about nutrition tells me that I shouldn't cut back on the smoothies or bananas. In fact, for MONTHS I've felt I need to get back to eating fruits, especially since my alternative seems to be refined empty carbs. No, cutting out all that beautiful, vitality-bestowing chi ain't the answer. Getting enough of the OTHER electrolytes I need probably is. And those would be your calcium and your magnesium. I am such a petulent fool about taking calcium supps but I think I'd better give it my tri-annual whirl again. I hope this time I'll stick to it. If the fear of Charlie horses doesn't do the trick of keeping me on the calcium straight and narrow, nothing will. I could order some calcium through NAP, and some Unibars as well. I'm so old school here that I always have to catch myself from writing "O bars". There are no O bars anymore, Edna. Get with the program!

Anyway: calcium, magnesium and bears, oh my!

Posted by: Victoria, Tuesday, June 5, 2007, 6:58pm; Reply: 51

I love NAP's seaweed-based calcium products. They are the best!

Posted by: Peppermint Twist, Tuesday, June 5, 2007, 7:05pm; Reply: 52

Yessir! Or madam, I should say. They are. I've taken the Phytocal in the past. Very absorbable.

Oh, Lordie. I guess it is time to start taking calcium:magnesium supps again. Phooey.

I'm already on CoQ10 and glucosamine sulfate. Two supps is my limit! Plus, at the moment, I'm taking sporadic NAC in order to detox weeks of wildfire smoke, among other things. But I guess I need a calcium:magnesium supp, too. :(

Posted by: Olerica, Tuesday, June 5, 2007, 7:25pm; Reply: 53

Hello all!I smoothie every morning... only I call it a blended salad. It has both veggies and fruit, which sounds a little gross, but it's pretty good:

I drink the second half of the concoction at work with a straw. Sometimes I add spinach and do a frozen peach/peach juice one but it turns green and people get all weird about it.I have a vita mix (yeah, I know... over priced, but I use the thing EVERY DAY - and sometimes twice a day) but it works wonderfully!

My one wish is that NAP would come out with a smoothie thing that has seaweed and other beneful greens that I can throw in... that's why I was using the fruitein.

I have these same glasses and covers. I agree, they are 'da bomb'! I use mine for freezing my smoothies, too.

Your smoothie sounds interesting...I don't have a vitamix, but may try it in my regular blender...who makes the bing cherry juice?

Posted by: meh206, Tuesday, June 5, 2007, 10:37pm; Reply: 55

Can't remember the name of the other board some of us used to post on (I mostly read) but it was said if it is the right leg that has the cramp it is potassium you need, if the left it is sodium.Hope this helps.Wish I could remember his name who had the board. Senior moment I guess.Maryann

Posted by: Olerica, Wednesday, June 6, 2007, 1:10am; Reply: 56

Quoted from outdoordrea

I have these same glasses and covers. I agree, they are 'da bomb'! I use mine for freezing my smoothies, too.

Your smoothie sounds interesting...I don't have a vitamix, but may try it in my regular blender...who makes the bing cherry juice?

Drea - They ARE 'da bomb'. Knudson is the brand that I get. I get the organic bing cherry juice. So good and 'gets everything going - if you know what I mean!

Posted by: Drea, Wednesday, June 6, 2007, 4:56pm; Reply: 57

I made a smoothie this morning with diluted cran/apple juice, strawberries, raspberries, flax seeds, and brown rice protein powder. It's chillin' in the freezer as I type. The rice protein powder is a tad gritty, but I don't notice it after it's been frozen...

I wish I could find a soy protein powder that isn't made with soy isolate...isn't that supposed to be bad? Oh, wait, I could use soft silken tofu instead! Never mind...

Posted by: Olerica, Wednesday, June 6, 2007, 5:42pm; Reply: 58

Is soy isolate bad? Why???

Posted by: Drea, Wednesday, June 6, 2007, 5:44pm; Reply: 59

I've heard that...I'll post a thread and see what comes of it...

Posted by: Drea, Wednesday, June 6, 2007, 5:57pm; Reply: 60

Here's one person's opinion (I'll be interested to hear what people on the BTD forum have to say):"The worst vegetarian protein source is soy protein isolate. Unfortunately, it’s an ingredient in many “foods.”

* Soy protein isolate and anything containing it (fake cold cuts, processed soy ice cream, “breakfast links,” some veggie burgers, most soy cheese, soy based whipped toppings, and so much more — read labels!). A truly horrifying and omnipresent product that is just about as refined as a product can be and still be “edible.” * A soybean consists of proteins, carbs, and fat. In order to make get only the protein (the soy protein isolate) from the soybean, which is what’s in TVP, TSP, and other processed sources of soy protein: * First step: the fat is taken away using hexame solvents – very bad stuff, unless it’s been expeller pressed, which is better but still rather terrible. * Then the carbs are taken away by bathing them in acid solutions, base solutions, and alcohol. * What’s left is the protein. Practically no nutrients are left. It is an almost completely empty food. Used to make soy cheese, ice cream, etc. – all nontraditional, weird foods. * For TVP and TSP the isolate is spun at high heat into soy protein chunks and artificial color, flavor and synthetic nutrients are added, to make up for all the nutrients that were lost during the intense processing that it went through. Yum! * Soy protein isolate increases nitrates and carcinogens (the things that cause cancer) in your body, and it increases the need for vitamins A and D."

There are probably one or two others, but I found these pretty quickly on google.

Posted by: Victoria, Wednesday, June 6, 2007, 7:00pm; Reply: 64

My reasoning:

Protein isolates are a processed, incomplete food, and I tend to be a natural food eater.

Once, referring to whey, Dr. D said that Whey was much preferred to Whey protein isolate because the isolate could over stimulate the immune system. I know this is not the same as soy, but it kind of stuck in my mind that once a food is fragmented and concentrated, we can't always know what the long-term effect is on the body.

There are probably one or two others, but I found these pretty quickly on google.

Thanks for the links Victoria...I've seen the fermented soy products in the HFS, and wondered about them...

Posted by: Jane, Wednesday, June 6, 2007, 8:19pm; Reply: 66

Maryann,It was Thomas that said that on his board. I'd never heard it before that.Jane

Posted by: 149 (Guest), Friday, June 8, 2007, 1:33am; Reply: 67

I've been making myself a drink each day which I suppose is a smoothy. I start with green tea, I add my "B" beneficial, flax oil and lecethin granules, then yogurt (by-the-way...you can have a lot of control over additives, by just making your own yogurt, it's really easy, all you need is a thermos...I'll tell you about it if you're interested) and top up with frozen fruit, or just juice. It's a good pick-me-up....I know, I know, my 'label' says I'm an O....that's my husband!

In a food processor, pulse berries until almost smooth. Add tofu, and continue to puree, add maple syrup, vanilla and cloves. Continue to puree until a smooth texture is achieved. Remove from the food processor and scoop out into bowls. Garnish with toasted coconut flakes and toasted sliced almonds. Store in the freezer.

This morning I had me a smoothie comprised of less pineapple juice than I needed because I ran out, so I had to add a little lemon juice to have enough liquid, but that was okay because the banana I put in was overly ripe, so the lemon was just the right counterbalance. Last but not least, I had frozen mango chunks in it.